As much as 40 percent of Japanese workers prioritize their jobs even though they want to balance their time for work and private life, according to a recent survey by a quasi-government organization.
The survey also found that on average the respondents used just 7.7 of their paid holidays last year, accounting for merely 46 percent of the total number they accumulate every year.
The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training said in the survey that 60 percent of the respondents think it is ideal to have a work-life balance, while 14 percent answered they think their work is more important and 17 percent place more importance on their private life. But in reality, 48 percent prioritize their jobs, 9 percent their private time and 38 percent a work-life balance.
Asked why they feel they cannot use all of their paid holidays, 45 percent of the respondents answered that they have too much work to do and have little time for vacations, 42 percent said it would trouble their colleagues and 33 percent said there is no one who could do their jobs while they are gone. Also, 11 percent did not use paid holidays at all for the past year.
Also, the survey revealed that those who get promoted faster take fewer holidays. Those who are deputy managers or in higher posts and also get promoted faster than their colleagues of similar ages used just 32 percent of their overall paid holidays last year, which is lower than 40 percent spent by those who are promoted at slower pace.
The survey was conducted from January to February covering about 8,900 people in their 20s to 40s who worked for some 12,000 targeted firms with 100 or more employees.